Faculty/Staff Work/Life

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Work/Life Training and Education

Work/Life offers workshops on a variety of issues either by request from departments, or by open enrollment in classes. Topics include, but are not limited to: caregiving for children and teenagers, self-compassion for caregivers, relaxation strategies, and financial literacy. 

Monthly Meditation and Mindfulness for Faculty and Staff

The regular practice of mindfulness meditation has a demonstrable impact on psychological and physical health, improving mood, decreasing stress, strengthening the immune system, and supporting sleep.

Be Well at Work Employee Assistance and Work/Life invite faculty and staff to join us for a monthly meditation group which will offer a moment of relaxation and rejuvenation during the work day. Each month will focus on a beneficial intention to guide us.

No registration required and no prior experience with meditation necessary.

All are welcome.

Starting March 2023

In-Person

Location: First Floor of Sproul Hall, Undergraduate Admissions Presentation Room (Rm 103A)

First Wednesday of the month at 12:15 - 12:45 pm

Online

Third Thursday of the month at 2 pm - 2:20 pm via Zoom

Zoom Link: https://berkeley.zoom.us/j/93496272644

If you would like these sessions added to your bCal for scheduling notifications, please email kpatchell@berkeley.edu

Work/Life Workshops and Events

ENROLLMENT

UC Berkeley and LBNL Faculty, Staff, Visiting Scholars, and Postdocs:

  1. Click on the “enroll here” hyperlink to take you to the UCB Learning Center.
  2. Enter your CalNet Passphrase.
  3. Click "Submit."

Fall 2023 Parenting Workshops

Planning Your Pregnancy Leave

Thursday, September 14th, noon - 1 pm via Zoom

Speakers: Yvette Escobar, UCB Disability Counselor, Kristin Rissanen Ikuta , UCB Academic Personnel, Gabe Schmidt, Healthcare Facilitator, Jurrisha Johnson, Leaves Coordinator

Thinking about starting a family? This workshop will provide information on leave policies, disability benefits, use of income supplements: sick/vacation/pto/pfcb etc. and options on when/how to return to work after having a child for both academic and staff employees.

Register

Supporting Children and Teens Through Grief

Thursday, September 26th, Noon - 1 pm, via Zoom

Speaker: Selina Sanchez Cristobal
Community Outreach & Crisis Response Coordinator, Kara Grief

This workshop will provide the fundamentals of grief and focus on identifying and supporting grief in children and teens.Kara’s mission is to provide grief support for children, teens, families and adults. Our guiding values are empathy and compassion. Every day we provide caring support to children and adults affected by loss and grief. Our vision is to see people of all ages compassionately supported on their journey through grief so they can move toward renewed hope and meaning. We serve individuals who are grieving a death as well as those managing a terminal illness (their own or another’s).

Register

Breastfeeding Your Baby/Returning to Work or School

Thursday, October 5th, 1 pm - 4:15 pm via Zoom

Speakers: Tina Benitez / Tomas Handelsman

This 3 hour class is taught by a certified lactation consultant and is broken up into two parts.The first portion of the class, 1-3pm, addresses breastfeeding basics and problem solving. The second portion of class, 3:15-4:15pm, covers returning-to-work planning and breast pumps. Those who have already attended a breastfeeding class are welcome to join the last portion of the class.

Register

Understanding Listening Partnerships

Thursday, October 19th, Noon - 1 pm via Zoom

Speakers: Robin Setchko, MFT

As caregivers to young people we are engaged in deeply emotional work, the hardest work we will ever do. How can we build a support team for this? Where can we talk freely about the strains of everyday life, our worries about concerning behaviors, and the fear that comes from from ’not knowing what to do'?

When we as caregivers take regular turns listening to each other we can make dependable gains in our lives. Taking the time to explore thoughts, speak whatever is on our hearts, and work though the tensions of raising children helps us care more effectively for ourselves and our families.

Join us for this workshop where we will look at how Listening Partnerships - agreements between two people to take turns listening to one another - can be a simple and rewarding way to give and get the support we need as we meet the challenges of nurturing children.

Register

Transitioning Back After Baby Bonding Leave

Thursday, October 26th, noon - 1 pm via Zoom

Speakers: Karen Patchell, MA., Elliott DiTusa, LPCC., Mary Kelly, MS., Greg Ryan, Be Well at Work

The transition back to work after baby bonding for both birth and non-birth parents can feel overwhelming. It can be filled with a vast array of emotions, concerns, and limitations, not to mention demanding and conflicting schedules.

Join us for this virtual panel workshop focused on understanding both positive and negative emotions related to this transition, how to establish boundaries at work, benefits and accommodations available to working parents, ergonomic strategies for multiple workstations, and self-care resources to help ease the physical and mental pressure associated with working while caregiving for a young child.

Register

Fall 2023 Financial Workshops

Make the Most of the UC Retirement Savings Program

Thursday, October 5th, noon - 1 pm via Zoom

Speaker: Laura Crymble, Fidelity

This class can help you understand how much money you'll need to retire comfortably and how much you can save through the UC Retirement Savings Program. Additionally, the class provides additional ways to save as well as strategies to help you protect and grow your savings.

Register

Navigating the System: Social Security Retirement

Tuesday, October 17th, Noon - 1 pm via MS Teams

Speaker: Emmanuel Barber, Social Security Administration

Worried about what to expect from Social Security? Find out what Social Security retirement benefits and options are available to you and your family (including divorced spouse benefits), as well as when and how to file a claim.

This workshop is taking place online using MS Teams.

Register

Starting Your Investment Portfolio 

Monday, October 23rd, Noon - 1 pm via Zoom

Speaker: Kenneth Leung, Millar Financials

With rising interest rates and discussions of a recession as a backdrop, there are many uncertainties in the future. You have saved money for your retirement and for the unpredictable, but do you know how your money is working for you? Do you understand the stocks, bonds, and mutual funds that are hotly discussed all over the investment news? Join us for this workshop which will identify and discuss first steps to gaining basic knowledge of your investments.

Register

Elder Care Training and Education

The Elder Care program offers monthly educational workshops and webinars on topics related to elder care and caregiver resilience. The workshops are presented by professionals and experienced caregivers. These workshops are open to current UC Berkeley and LBL employees and generally take place on a weekday from 12:10-1:30pm.